Independent Media Center, Israel http://indymedia.org.il Malicious cynicism of the Army Attorney GeneralFriday 16 Aug 2002 author: Jacob Katriel summary The Army Attorney General continues a practice of malicious cynicism, this time by misrepresenting the true brutal manner in which the Israeli Army treats consciencious objectors.

The Army Attorney General gave his response to the supreme court concerning the case of David Zonsheine (and four other officers). The most cynical statement is: "Consciencious objectors have the right not to enlist ("total refusal" for pacifists), yet there is no right for selective refusal". [see: http://indymedia.org.il/imc/israel/webcast/35077.html]. I emphasize this part of the Army Attorney's answer because it stands in flagrant contradiction to the fact that Jonathan Ben-Artzi is now in jail because he stated that he is a pacifist and wouldn't take part in any military activity. [see: http://web.amnesty.org/web/web.nsf/pages/IOT_Conscientious_Objectors]. This cynical manipulation should be denounced. Both Ben-Arzi's pacifism and Sonsheine's refusal to take part in military operations that violate the Fourth Geneva Convention (i.e., war crimes) should be respected.

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